These baked chocolate donuts have brewed espresso in the batter and chopped espresso beans on top of the rich, chocolate glaze. You can have your morning cup of coffee and eat it too.
I’m pretty sure that I drink more caffeine on Mondays than I do any other day of the week. It is Monday, after all, aka, potentially the hardest day in the week. I figured the best way to remedy the situation is to start the day off with a ridiculous amount of chocolate and caffeine. And maybe a pancake or two (I’m a really big breakfast eater).
Chocolate for breakfast? I think we can all agree that Monday just got a teensy, tiny bit better with these Baked Chocolate Espresso Donuts.
Waking up and smelling the coffee has never looked or tasted better.
I can pretty much get behind anything for breakfast that qualifies more as a dessert than breakfast, but is technically (and socially) acceptable. I know. Lots are on a mission to rid their diet’s of excess sugar. But, I can’t give up chocolate entirely. It’s just not a thing that I can do. It’s fine. I’ll have a salad for lunch or something.
Step by Step Guide to Making Chocolate Espresso Breakfast Donuts
1. Prepare the Donut Pan and Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Grease a donut pan with baking spray and set aside.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Mix until well combined and set aside.
3. Prepare Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, brewed espresso (or strong coffee), and half & half.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.
- Mix until just combined, ensuring not to overmix. The batter will be fairly thick.
5. Add Remaining Ingredients:
- Stir in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and melted butter until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
6. Fill Donut Pan and Bake:
- Carefully pour the batter into the greased donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. (The batter should yield about 7-8 donuts.)
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes, or until the tops of the donuts spring back when lightly touched.
7. Prepare the Chocolate Glaze:
- While the donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and espresso powder.
- Gradually add the brewed espresso (or coffee) and heavy cream, whisking continuously until smooth.
8. Glaze and Top the Donuts:
- Once the donuts have slightly cooled, dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Sprinkle with the crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans.
- Allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the glaze has set, serve the donuts immediately and enjoy!
Chocolate Espresso Breakfast Donuts
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: Makes 7-8 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Rich chocolate donuts with a hint of espresso.
Coffee-infused glaze and espresso bean topping.
Ingredients
- 1 cups (237 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cups (59 ml) cocoa powder
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) brown sugar
- 1/4 cups (59 ml) granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp espresso powder
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp brewed espresso (or strong coffee, cooled to room temperature)
- 1/4 cups (59 ml) half and half
- 1/4 cups (59 ml) sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cups (59 ml) cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp brewed espresso (or strong coffee, cooled to room temperature)
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp espresso powder
- Crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans
Instructions
- Prepare the Donut Pan and Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Grease a donut pan with baking spray and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, brewed espresso (or strong coffee), and half and half.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, ensuring not to overmix. The batter will be fairly thick.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and melted butter until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
- Fill Donut Pan and Bake: Carefully pour the batter into the greased donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes, or until the tops of the donuts spring back when lightly touched.
- Prepare the Chocolate Glaze: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Gradually add the brewed espresso (or coffee) and heavy cream, whisking continuously until smooth.
- Glaze and Top the Donuts: Once the donuts have slightly cooled, dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze, ensuring they are well-coated. Sprinkle with the crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans. Allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the glaze has set, serve the donuts immediately.
Notes
- For richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder instead of unsweetened cocoa powder.
- To avoid over-baking, start checking for doneness at 8 minutes. Donuts are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Store unglazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; glazed donuts should be refrigerated and consumed within 1 day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso powder?
Yes, you can skip the espresso powder; just make sure to use strong coffee to maintain a rich chocolate-coffee flavor.
What should I do if I can’t find chopped espresso beans for the topping?
If you can’t find chopped espresso beans, you can omit them or substitute with chocolate shavings or finely chopped nuts for added texture.
How do I ensure my donuts are baked evenly?
Make sure to preheat your oven and fill the donut pan evenly for consistent baking; also, avoid overmixing the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
OMG, these are delicious!
Great recipe, turned out perfectly!